Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100143755 | Multi-Channel Fuel Reformer with Augmented Heat Transfer - A planar endothermic reformer assembly comprising only a few macrochannels rather than many microchannels as in the prior art. The macrochannels are arranged alternately in a stack for reforming and hot gas flow in a cross-flow reformer/heat exchanger. The assembly includes four manifolds. An external combustor supplies heat to the hot gas macrochannels in the reformer/heat exchanger stack for endothermic reforming, resulting in low temperature gradients in the reforming macrochannels. The macrochannels, having no dimension less than 2.0 mm, contain metal substrates for heat transfer as well as for support for the catalytic washcoat and may comprise packs of corrugated sheet metal such as Haynes or Inconell; packs of wire mesh; metallic foam made of Fecralloy, Haynes, Inconel, or higher conductivity material; or stacks of metallic felt material. The metallic substrates are brazed into the reforming channels and the hot flow channels to ensure maximum heat transfer for highest reforming efficiencies. | 06-10-2010 |
20110269032 | COMBUSTOR FOR A FUEL CELL SYSTEM - A combustor generates and supplies hot combustion gases to a fuel reformer. The combustor includes a housing defining a combustion chamber. The combustor also includes a fuel vaporizer having a fuel tube with an electric heating element. The fuel tube is positioned such that a portion thereof extends into the combustion chamber and is exposed to the hot combustion gases exiting the combustion chamber. An electric current is supplied to the electric heating element to vaporize the liquid fuel within the fuel tube when the temperature within the combustion chamber is below is a predetermined temperature. Substantially no electric current is supplied to the electric heating element when the temperature within the combustion chamber is at least the predetermined temperature and the hot combustion gases passing over the portion of the fuel tube extending into the combustion chamber vaporize the liquid fuel within the fuel tube. | 11-03-2011 |
20130195735 | HEAT EXCHANGER REFORMER WITH THERMAL EXPANSION MANAGEMENT - A catalytic reformer assembly comprises walls that define a first flow path for a first medium and a second flow path, fluidly isolated from the first flow path, for a second medium. The first flow path includes a central flow channel, a first annular flow channel radially surrounding the central flow channel, and a second annular flow channel radially surrounding the first annular flow channel. The second flow path comprises a third annular flow channel and a fourth annular flow channel each disposed radially between the first annular flow channel and the second annular flow channel. | 08-01-2013 |
20130344409 | MULTI-FUEL COMBUSTOR WITH SWIRL FLAME STABILIZATION - A combustor for generating and supplying hot combustion gases to a fuel reformer includes an annular passage defined by a swirler having a central hub and an outer wall. One or more vanes are disposed in the annular passage to impart angular momentum to a gas flowing axially through the annular passage. At least one opening is defined in the central hub for introducing a first fuel into the annular passage, and at least one opening is defined in the outer wall in for introducing a second fuel into the annular passage. In a further aspect of the invention, the fuel introduced into the annular passage through the outer wall is a gaseous fuel, for example effluent gas from a fuel cell, and the fuel introduced into the annular passage through the central hub is a vaporized liquid fuel, for example vaporized diesel fuel. | 12-26-2013 |
20140170038 | FUEL REFORMER WITH THERMAL MANAGEMENT - A fuel reformer includes a feedstream delivery unit and a catalytic reactor. The feedstream delivery unit is configured to receive reactants and to provide the reactants to the catalytic reactor. The reformer further includes a flame arrestor disposed between the feedstream delivery unit and the catalytic reactor, and at least one spacer disposed between the feedstream delivery unit and the catalytic reactor, wherein the spacer is configured to allow the reactants to flow therethrough while inhibiting thermal radiation therethrough. In a further aspect, the surfaces of the feedstream delivery unit that come into contact with the reactants in use include coatings that eliminate catalytic reactions of the feedstream within the feedstream delivery unit. | 06-19-2014 |
20150060061 | HEATER AND METHOD OF OPERATING - A heater includes a heater housing with a fuel cell stack assembly disposed therein. The fuel cell stack assembly includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. The fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell manifold for receiving the fuel within a fuel inlet and the oxidizing agent within an oxidizing agent inlet and distributing the fuel and oxidizing agent to the fuel cells. A fuel supply conduit supplies the fuel to the fuel inlet and an oxidizing agent supply conduit supplies the oxidizing agent to the oxidizing agent inlet. A sonic orifice is disposed between the fuel supply conduit and the fuel inlet or between the oxidizing agent supply conduit and the oxidizing agent inlet, thereby limiting the velocity of the fuel or the oxidizing agent through the sonic orifice. | 03-05-2015 |
20150064592 | HEATER AND METHOD OF OPERATING - A heater includes a heater housing extending along a heater axis. A fuel cell stack assembly is disposed within the heater housing and includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. A combustor disposed within the heater housing receives an anode exhaust and a cathode exhaust from the fuel cell stack assembly and combusts a mixture of the anode exhaust and the cathode exhaust to produce a heated combustor exhaust. The combustor includes a combustor exhaust outlet for discharging the heated combustor exhaust into the heater housing. The heater housing is heated by the fuel cell stack assembly and the heated combustor exhaust. | 03-05-2015 |
20150064593 | HEATER - A heater includes a fuel cell stack assembly disposed within a heater housing and includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. A combustor disposed within the heater housing receives an anode exhaust and a cathode exhaust from the fuel cell stack assembly and combusts a mixture of the anode exhaust and the cathode exhaust to produce a heated combustor exhaust. The combustor includes a combustor exhaust outlet for discharging the heated combustor exhaust into the heater housing. A baffle disposed around the fuel cell stack assembly and the combustor defines a heat transfer channel radially between the heater housing and the baffle. A flow director in fluid communication with the combustor exhaust outlet and the heat transfer channel communicates the heated combustor exhaust to the heat transfer channel. | 03-05-2015 |
20150064594 | HEATER AND SUPPORTING STRUCTURE THEREOF - A heater includes a heater housing with a support plate secured to one end. A fuel cell stack assembly is disposed within the heater housing and includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. The fuel cell stack assembly includes a fuel cell manifold for receiving the fuel and distributing the fuel to the plurality of fuel cells and for receiving the oxidizing agent and distributing the oxidizing agent to the plurality of fuel cells. A fuel supply conduit supplies the fuel to the fuel cell manifold and an oxidizing agent supply conduit supplies the oxidizing agent to the fuel cell manifold. The fuel cell stack assembly is supported on the support plate by one of the fuel supply conduit and the oxidizing agent supply conduit. | 03-05-2015 |
20150162637 | HEATER AND METHOD OF OPERATING - A heater includes a heater housing extending along a heater axis; a fuel cell stack assembly disposed within the heater housing and having a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent; an electric resistive heating element disposed within the heater housing and electrically connected to the fuel cell stack assembly; and a first thermal switch located between the fuel cell stack assembly and the electric resistive heating element. The first thermal switch is closed to place the fuel cell stack assembly in electrical communication with the electric resistive heating element when the fuel cell stack assembly is electrochemically active and is open to prevent electrical communication between the fuel cell stack assembly and the electric resistive heating element when the fuel cell stack assembly is not electrochemically active. | 06-11-2015 |
20150204172 | HEATER AND METHOD OF OPERATING - A plurality of heaters is provided to be disposed end to end within a bore hole of a formation where the bore hole extends from an upper end to a lower end such that a lower heater of the plurality of heaters is proximal to the lower end of the bore hole while every other of the plurality of heaters is distal from the lower end of the bore hole. Each of the plurality of heaters includes a fuel cell stack assembly having a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into heat and electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent. Each of the plurality of heaters has a thermal output that is less than or equal to a predetermined value except the lower heater of the plurality of heaters which has a thermal output that is greater than the predetermined value. | 07-23-2015 |
20150280257 | Heater with a Fuel Cell Stack Assembly and a Combustor and Method of Operating - A heater includes a heater housing; a fuel cell stack assembly within the heater housing and having a plurality of fuel cells; a combustor within the heater housing for combusting a mixture of fuel and air to form a heated combustor exhaust that is discharged into the heater housing; a combustor fuel supply conduit for supplying the fuel to the combustor; an anode exhaust conduit for communicating anode exhaust from the fuel cell stack assembly out of the heater housing; and a combustor bypass conduit in fluid communication with the combustor fuel supply conduit and the anode exhaust conduit for allowing a portion of the fuel to bypass the combustor. | 10-01-2015 |
20150292298 | GEOTHERMIC HEATER SYSTEM - A geothermic heater system for heating a geological formation includes a fuel cell stack assembly disposed at the surface of the geological formation and includes a plurality of fuel cells which convert chemical energy from a fuel into electricity through a chemical reaction with an oxidizing agent, thereby producing an anode exhaust and a cathode exhaust. The geothermic fuel cell system also includes a combustor disposed within a bore hole of the geological formation. The combustor combusts a mixture at least one of the anode exhaust and the cathode exhaust to produce a heated combustor exhaust. The combustor discharges the heated combustor exhaust to heat the geological formation. | 10-15-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120110522 | Pattern Recognition with Edge Correction for Design Based Metrology - Exemplary embodiments include a method for edge correction in pattern recognition, the method including receiving a design layout, receiving a sample plan based on the design layout, receiving user-generated edge input and generating a recipe output from the design layout, the sample plan and the user-generated edge input. The incorporation of the edge input results in SEM recipes that are much more successful in recognizing patterns that have tendency to deviate in appearance from design by, for example, moderate to severe sidewall angle. | 05-03-2012 |
20120110523 | PATTERN RECOGNITION WITH EDGE CORRECTION FOR DESIGN BASED METROLOGY - A method for edge correction in pattern recognition includes generating a pattern recognition output for a pattern recognition process, including receiving, in the processor, a design layout, receiving a sample plan based on the design layout, receiving a first user-generated edge input, generating a pattern recognition recipe output from the design layout, the sample plan and the user-generated edge input, wherein the pattern recognition recipe output is configured to drive the pattern recognition process, generating a measurement model from the pattern recognition process, generating a measurement model pattern recognition output for an measurement model pattern recognition process, including receiving a second user-generated input and generating a measurement model pattern recognition recipe output from the measurement model and the second user-generated edge input, wherein the measurement model pattern recognition recipe output configured to drive the measurement model pattern recognition process. | 05-03-2012 |
20120192125 | Correcting and Optimizing Contours for Optical Proximity Correction Modeling - A contour biasing method can include receiving contour input files, processing the contour input files, receiving contour measurements, receiving raw contour data, processing the raw contour data and outputting processed contour data based on the contour input files. | 07-26-2012 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110171511 | Compact and Low-Volume Mechanical Igniter and Ignition Systems For Thermal Batteries and the Like - An inertial igniter including: a body having a base and three or more posts, each post having a hole; a locking ball corresponding to each post, wherein a portion of the locking balls are disposed in the hole; a striker mass movably disposed relative to the posts and having a surface corresponding to the posts, the striker mass further having a concave portion corresponding to the locking balls, wherein a second portion of each locking ball is disposed in a corresponding concave portion for retaining the striker mass relative to the posts; a collar movable relative to the posts; and a biasing element for biasing the collar in a first position which retains the striker mass, the biasing element permitting movement of the collar to a second position to release the striker mass relative to the posts upon a predetermined acceleration profile. | 07-14-2011 |
20130074623 | Mechanical Stepper Motors for Guided Munitions and Industrial Machinery - A method for stepping a first member relative to a second member associated with a projectile. The method including: providing one of the first and second members with one of a plurality of pockets and more than three movable pins offset from each other with a first spacing; providing the other of the first and second members with the other of the plurality of pockets and more than three movable pins offset from each other with a second spacing, where the first spacing is different from the second spacing; and engaging at least one of the movable pins into a corresponding pocket to step one of the first and second members a predetermined linear and/or rotary displacement. Where the engaging includes selectively varying a step size between the first and second member. | 03-28-2013 |
20130206897 | VERY LOW-POWER ACTUATION DEVICES - An actuator including: a housing; a piston movably disposed in the housing, the piston being movable between an extended and retracted position; a plurality of gas generation charges generating a gas in fluid communication with the housing; and an exhaust port for exhausting gas from the cylinder generated by the plurality of gas generation charges; wherein activation of each of the plurality of gas generation charges results in an increase in pressure in the housing causing the piston to move in the housing from the refracted to the extended position. The actuator can further include a return spring for biasing the piston in the retracted position and the plurality of gas generation charges can be disposed in the housing. | 08-15-2013 |
20130277494 | Very Low Power Actuation Devices - A method of actuating a control surface in a munition. The method including: coupling a pair of fins to an actuation device; generating pressurized gas to selectively actuate the actuation device; and converting the actuation of the actuation device to rotation of the pair of fins. The converting can convert a linear output of the actuation device to the rotation of the pair of fins or a rotary output of the actuation device to the rotation of the pair of fins. The generated gas can be directly provided to the actuation device or the generated gas can be stored in a storage device before being provided to the actuation device. The method can further include repeating the coupling, generating and converting for a second pair of fins. | 10-24-2013 |
20130284044 | Rotary-Type Mechanisms for Inertial Igniters for Thermal Batteries and G-Switches for Munitions and the Like - A mechanism including: a toggle link rotatably connected to a base structure; a stop connected to the base structure for limiting a rotational travel of the toggle link; a biasing element having a first end attached to the base structure and a second end attached to the toggle link such that the toggle link is biased towards the stop when the toggle link is positioned on a first side of a singular position and the toggle link is biased towards an opposite direction from the stop when the toggle link is positioned on a second side of the singular position; and an inertial element movably disposed between the base structure and the toggle link such that that inertial element moves the toggle link from the first side of the singular position to the second side of the singular position when the base structure undergoes an acceleration event greater than a predetermined threshold. | 10-31-2013 |
20140248522 | Compact and Mechanical Inertial Igniters For Thermal Batteries and the like for Munitions With Short Duration Firing Setback Shock - An inertial igniter including: a body having a base; a striker release element rotatably disposed on the body, the striker release element having a first surface; a first biasing element for biasing the striker release element away from the base; a striker mass rotatably disposed on the base along a second axis, the striker mass having a second surface corresponding to the first surface of the striker release element, the first surface obstructing rotation of the striker mass; and a second biasing element for biasing the striker mass such that the second surface is biased towards the first surface; wherein when the body experiences an acceleration profile of a predetermined magnitude and duration, the striker release element rotates towards the base to release an engagement between the first and second surfaces and allow the striker mass to rotate under a biasing force of the second biasing element. | 09-04-2014 |
20150143988 | Pneumatic Actuation Devices For Valves and the Like - A stepper motor including: a plurality of actuators, each having an actuation rod movable between retracted and expended positions, the actuation rod having an actuation pin movable along with the actuation rod; and a shuttle rotatable about a shaft, the shuttle having a plurality of pockets corresponding to the actuation pin of the plurality of actuators, the plurality of pockets being partially offset from the plurality of pins such that actuation of one or more of the plurality of actuators moves the actuation rod and corresponding actuation pin into a corresponding one of the plurality of pockets to rotate the shuttle about the shaft. | 05-28-2015 |
20160102952 | Very Low-Power Actuation Devices - A munition including: a control surface actuation device including: an actuator comprising two or more pistons, each of the pistons being movable between an extended and retracted position, the retracted position resulting from an activation of each of the two or more pistons; and a movable rack having a portion engageable with a portion of the two or more pistons to sequentially move the rack upon activation of each of the two or more pistons; and a control surface operatively connected to the rack such that movement of the rack moves the control surface; Where the actuator comprises three pistons; the portion of the rack is a plurality of spaced portions and the portion of the piston is an end portion of the piston exposed when the piston is in the extended position or the movable rack is linear and moves linearly. | 04-14-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100046363 | METHODS FOR MANAGING AN ELECTION OF A CLUSTER HEAD IN AD HOC MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORK AND SYSTEMS THEREOF - A method, computer readable medium, and system for managing a mobile communication network includes identifying one or more mobile communication devices within a region. One of the one or more identified mobile communication devices which have been dynamically formed into one or more clusters having a tree structure and are at least partially meshed together is elected as a cluster head in each of one or more clusters based on one or more parameters. | 02-25-2010 |
20100046426 | METHODS FOR PROVIDING AN AD HOC MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORK AND SYSTEMS THEREOF - A method, computer readable medium, and system for providing a mobile communication network includes dynamically forming a plurality of mobile communication devices into one or more clusters based on one or more parameters, each of the one or more clusters having a tree structure. Each of the one or more clusters are at least partially meshed together. At least one virtual identifier is dynamically assigned to each of the plurality of mobile communication devices based on the tree structure of each of the one or more clusters. The virtual identifier provides address information for routing communications between two or more of the plurality of mobile communication devices. | 02-25-2010 |
20130033397 | METHODS FOR RECEIVING GPS INDOORS WITH HIGH PRECISION AND DEVICES THEREOF - A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus that determines a GPS location includes obtaining assisted GPS data of locations of a plurality of GPS satellites, current time, and initial location data of the receiver computing device. A GPS signal from one or more of the plurality of GPS satellites within a frequency range and time range is acquired based on the obtained assisted GPS data, current time, and initial location data of the receiver computing device. The one or more acquired GPS signals are integrated over a frame period of two or more seconds. A GPS location for the receiver computing device is determined based on the one or more integrated GPS signals. | 02-07-2013 |
20150268352 | METHODS FOR SUBNANOSECOND TIME SYNCHRONIZING USING RTK RECEIVERS AND DEVICES THEREOF - A method, non-transitory computer readable medium and timing computing device for subnanosecond time synchronization. A difference between synchronized measurements of one of a plurality of satellite signals from a reference receiver and another receiver for each of N values within a cycle is determined. A clock bias error is calculated for each of the N values. The calculated clock bias errors are stored in a vector over time for each of the N values, with one of the vectors for each of the N values. A trajectory of the vectors over time is determined. The one of the vectors with a best convergence over time is selected. A timing signal is adjusted based on the N value for the selected one of the vectors with the best convergence over time. | 09-24-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120107969 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMPARING LITHOGRAPHIC PROCESSING CONDITIONS AND OR DATA PREPARATION PROCESSES - A set of optical rule checker (ORC) markers are identified in a simulated lithographic pattern generated for a set of data preparation parameters and lithographic processing conditions. Each ORC marker identifies a feature in the simulated lithographic pattern that violates rules of the ORC. A centerline is defined in each ORC marker, and a minimum dimension region is generated around each centerline with a minimum width that complies with the rules of the ORC. A failure region is defined around each ORC marker by removing regions that overlap with the ORC marker from the minimum dimension region. The areas of all failure regions are added to define a figure of demerit, which characterizes the simulated lithographic pattern. The figure of demerit can be evaluated for multiple simulated lithographic patterns or iteratively decreased by modifying the set of data preparation parameters and lithographic processing conditions. | 05-03-2012 |
20130117660 | AUTOMATED DOCUMENT REVISION MARKUP AND CHANGE CONTROL - Automated comparison of Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) documents for revision mark-up includes reading document data from first and second DITA documents into respective document object model trees of nodes, and identifying and collapsing emphasis subtree nodes in the trees into their parent nodes, the collapsing caching emphasis data from the identified subtree nodes. A traversal transforms the model trees into respective node lists and captures adjacent sibling emphasis subtree nodes as single text nodes. The node lists are merged into a merged node list that recognizes matches node pairs having primary sort key information and document structure metadata meeting a match threshold, with differences between matching tokens of the node pairs saved. A merged document object model built from the refined merged node list is transformed into a hypertext mark-up language document. | 05-09-2013 |
20150378971 | AUTOMATED DOCUMENT REVISION MARKUP AND CHANGE CONTROL - Automated comparison of Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) documents for revision mark-up includes reading document data from first and second DITA documents into respective document object model trees of nodes, and identifying and collapsing emphasis subtree nodes in the trees into their parent nodes, the collapsing caching emphasis data from the identified subtree nodes. A traversal transforms the model trees into respective node lists and captures adjacent sibling emphasis subtree nodes as single text nodes. The node lists are merged into a merged node list that recognizes matches node pairs having primary sort key information and document structure metadata meeting a match threshold, with differences between matching tokens of the node pairs saved. A merged document object model built from the refined merged node list is transformed into a hypertext mark-up language document. | 12-31-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080314340 | Two-step roller finger cam follower assembly having a follower travel limiter - A two-step roller finger follower assembly for use in conjunction with a camshaft of an internal combustion engine, wherein the camshaft has at least one first lobe and at least one second lobe. The roller finger follower assembly comprises a follower body for engaging the first cam lobe and having a central aperture, a follower pivotably disposed on the follower body in the central aperture for engaging the second cam lobe, and a limiting stop disposed on the follower body for engaging a feature on the follower to limit travel of the follower body with respect to the follower. The limiting stop prevents overtravel of the follower body during valve-deactivation mode of the assembly, thus preventing excessive leak down of an associated hydraulic lash adjuster. | 12-25-2008 |
20090069097 | Cam phaser having pre-loaded spring for biasing the rotor through only a portion of its range of authority - During assembly of an improved phaser, a rotor bias spring is captured by a spring retainer that is fitted or formed into the cover, allowing the spring to be installed in a pre-load position and forming a sub-assembly that is then attached to the remaining components. Grounded and active spring tangs are captured in separate slots in the spring retainer. A pocket within the rotor receives the active tang of the bias spring. The pocket has a tapered bottom ramp that lifts the active tang from the slot wall in the retainer and positions the active tang within the pocket in a retarding direction. Lifting the active tang of the bias spring prevents friction between the spring and the retainer slot wall as would occur as the rotor moves in a retarded direction. In advancing, spring rotation stops when the active tang contacts the end of the retainer slot. | 03-12-2009 |
20090235884 | Vane-type cam phaser having dual rotor bias springs - A vane-type camshaft phaser for varying the timing of combustion valves including a first torsional bias spring disposed on a cover plate spring guide and grounded to the cover plate and to a slot in a spring retainer to urge the rotor toward an intermediate locking position from any position retarded of the locking position. A second torsional bias spring also anchored to the cover plate and spring retainer urges the rotor in the advance direction over the full range of phaser authority to compensate for added camshaft torque loads imposed by non-valve actuating functions such as driving a mechanical fuel pump. | 09-24-2009 |
20090266322 | Vane-type cam phaser having staged locking pins to assist intermediate position locking - A vane-type camshaft phaser including a bias spring to urge the rotor toward an intermediate locking position from any rotational position retarded of the locking position. The rotor comprises non-coaxially acting primary and secondary locking pins for mating with primary and secondary locking pin seats in the phaser stator. The primary seat is elongated and is readily located by the primary locking pin to provide a first limit to the rotor phase angle authority in the retard direction. Camshaft torque reversals cause the rotor phase angle to dither. With each torque reversal the secondary locking pin passes over its seat, allowing multiple opportunities for re-engagement. The clearance of the secondary locking pin to its seat defines the rotary lash in the phaser. | 10-29-2009 |
20110215269 | PRESSURE CONTROL VALVE - A switchable valve assembly is provided with a housing having a longitudinal bore with a spool disposed therein. The spool is selectively positioned within the longitudinal bore for controlling the flow of working fluid between a supply port and a control port and between the control port and a vent port. An actuator assembly is provided for selectively positioning the spool in the longitudinal bore. The actuator assembly includes a connecting rod for mechanically transmitting linear motion to the spool when switching from at least one valve mode to another valve mode. The connecting rod is structurally separate from the spool. | 09-08-2011 |
20120031359 | CAMSHAFT PHASER INTERMEDIATE LOCKING PIN AND SEAT - A vane-type camshaft phaser for an internal combustion engine includes an intermediate locking pin and seat for locking the camshaft phaser at a position intermediate of its full advanced and retard positions. A feature is provided for radially orienting the locking pin with the seat. | 02-09-2012 |
20120234275 | CAMSHAFT PHASER WITH COAXIAL CONTROL VALVES - A camshaft phaser is provided for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an engine. The camshaft phaser includes a stator having lobes. A rotor is disposed within the stator includes vanes interspersed with the stator lobes to define alternating advance and retard chambers. A lock pin is provided for selective engagement with a lock pin seat for preventing relative rotation between the rotor and the stator. Pressurized oil disengages the lock pin from the seat while oil is vented for engaging the lock pin with the seat. A phase relationship control valve is coaxial with the rotor and controls the flow of oil into and out of the chambers. A lock pin control valve is coaxial with the phase relationship control valve and controls the flow of oil to and from the lock pin. The control valves are operational independent of each other. | 09-20-2012 |
20120255509 | Camshaft Phaser with Independent Phasing and Lock Pin Control - A camshaft phaser is provided for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an engine. The camshaft phaser includes a stator having lobes. A rotor disposed within the stator includes vanes interspersed with the stator lobes to define alternating advance and retard chambers. A lock pin is provided for selective engagement with a lock pin seat for preventing relative rotation between the rotor and stator. Pressurized oil disengages the lock pin from the seat while oil is vented for engaging the lock pin with the seat. A phase relationship control valve is located coaxially within the rotor to control the flow of oil into and out of the chambers. A lock pin oil passage communicates oil to and from the lock pin based on input from a lock pin control valve located outside of the camshaft phaser. The control valves are operational independent of each other. | 10-11-2012 |
20120298058 | SYSTEM FOR ATTACHING A CAMSHAFT PHASER TO A CAMSHAFT - A camshaft phaser attachment system is provided for attaching a camshaft phaser to a camshaft of an internal combustion engine. The camshaft phaser attachment system includes a camshaft phaser for controllably varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and the camshaft. The camshaft phaser attachment system also includes a camshaft phaser installation tool having a handle with a head sized to be inserted through an opening of a cover of the camshaft phaser. A plurality of notches formed on a rotor of the camshaft phaser interfit with a plurality of tangs of the head. The head includes a recess on the periphery to provide clearance relative to a bias spring capture flange extending radially inward from the opening. The head also includes a central passage extending through the head to allow a tightening tool to tighten a bolt used to hold the camshaft phaser to the camshaft. | 11-29-2012 |
20120318219 | Camshaft Phaser with Dual Lock Pins and a Passage within the Camshaft Phaser Connecting the Lock Pins - A camshaft phaser is provided for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an engine. The camshaft phaser includes a stator having lobes. A rotor is disposed within the stator and includes vanes interspersed with the stator lobes to define alternating advance and retard chambers. A primary lock pin is provided for selective engagement with a primary lock pin seat for limiting rotation between the rotor and stator to a range between full advance and full retard. A secondary lock pin is provided for selective engagement with a secondary lock pin seat for preventing rotation between the rotor and the stator at a predetermined position within the range. A cap is disposed axially adjacent the rotor to define a bridging lock pin oil passage therebetween. The bridging lock pin oil passage provides fluid communication between the primary lock pin and the secondary lock pin. | 12-20-2012 |
20130019825 | Harmonic Drive Camshaft Phaser with Lock Pin for Selectivley Preventing a Change in Phase Relationship - A camshaft phaser includes a housing. A harmonic gear drive unit is disposed within the housing and includes a circular spline and a dynamic spline, a flexspline disposed within the circular spline and the dynamic spline, a wave generator disposed within the flexspline, and a rotational actuator connectable to the wave generator. One of the circular spline and the dynamic spline is fixed to the housing. A hub is rotatably disposed within the housing and attachable to the camshaft and fixed to the other of the circular spline and the dynamic spline. A lock pin is provided for selective engagement with a lock pin seat such that engagement of the lock pin with the lock pin seat prevents relative rotation between the circular spline and the dynamic spline. | 01-24-2013 |
20140083385 | CAMSHAFT PHASER WITH COAXIAL CONTROL VALVES - A camshaft phaser is provided for varying the phase relationship between a crankshaft and a camshaft in an engine. The camshaft phaser includes a stator having lobes. A rotor is disposed within the stator includes vanes interspersed with the stator lobes to define alternating advance and retard chambers. A lock pin is provided for selective engagement with a lock pin seat for preventing relative rotation between the rotor and the stator. Pressurized oil disengages the lock pin from the seat while oil is vented for engaging the lock pin with the seat. A phase relationship control valve is coaxial with the rotor and controls the flow of oil into and out of the chambers. A lock pin control valve is coaxial with the phase relationship control valve and controls the flow of oil to and from the lock pin. The control valves are operational independent of each other. | 03-27-2014 |
20150260060 | CAMSHAFT PHASER - A camshaft phaser includes a stator having a plurality of lobes and a rotor coaxially disposed within the stator and having a plurality of vanes interspersed with the lobes defining a plurality of alternating advance chambers and retard chambers such that a phasing valve supplies and vents oil to and from the advance and retard chambers. A first check valve allows oil to flow from only one of the retard chambers to only one of the advance chambers when a first diverter valve permits communication between the one of the advance chambers and the first check valve and a second check valve allows oil to flow from the one of the advance chambers to the one of the retard chambers when a second diverter valve permits communication between the one of the retard chambers and the second check valve. | 09-17-2015 |